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How does plumbing work in an apartment building?

As someone who’s new to renting, I’ve always been really curious about this. How does plumbing work in an apartment building?

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Melanie Mergen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While it can vary from building to building, here’s a general look at how plumbing can work in an apartment building.
Not unlike a single-family home, your apartment building will essentially have two different plumbing systems: one that brings fresh water to your sinks, toilet shower, bathtub, and any appliances, and one that carries out wastewater after it’s been drained or flushed away.
There are all kinds of ways these plumbing systems can be designed for an apartment building. In a multi-story apartment building, for example, you might see a water tank on the roof, which supplies water to units below with the help of gravity. Or, you might find different pumps to push water to upper-level units and allow them to provide an adequate amount of water pressure when you turn on your tap.
Vents and seals play an important role in keeping wastewater draining properly and preventing it from backing up. If you encounter plumbing problems in your unit, it’s also helpful to know where the control valve is located so your unit’s water can be temporarily shut off if needed.
Plumbing issues in an apartment are definitely no fun. If you were to experience a burst pipe in your apartment, it would be essential to have the right
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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